Massachusetts bishops: raise the minimum wage

The bishops of Massachusetts have called upon state lawmakers to raise the minimum wage.

“In its long history, the Catholic Church has consistently supported the right to a just wage for labor as an essential element of a just society and the dignity of every person,” the bishops said. “The current minimum wage is insufficient to support and uphold the dignity of individuals and families” and “is hardly enough to pay for basic necessities such as food and rent, let alone support a family.”

“We do not pretend to be economists and thus leave it to those more knowledgeable in that area to determine a just wage for the lowest paid workers,” the bishops added.

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It is tiresome--bishops and their leftist bromides. The minimum wage can never be sufficient "to support and uphold the dignity of individuals..." If the mw ever does get high enough to accomplish this goal, it will simply drive all kids and unskilled workers out of the entry-level job market. As one guy put it: the mw is a transfer of wealth, from one poor guy who loses his job, to another poor guy who gets a little raise.

Posted by: DrJazz -
Mar. 20, 2014 12:06 PM ET USA

Why only petition the government? Why not preach on a Sunday about Pope John Paul's call for a family wage? Call the business owners in one's parish to raise wages without a government mandate, just because it's a good and generous thing to do. I'd rather hear a homily on that than another appeal to the Democratic Party to coerce more citizens.

Posted by: unum -
Mar. 20, 2014 8:13 AM ET USA

Another organization of bishops preaching the "political gospel" unlike Jesus who preached apolitical social justice and conversion.
Our church needs bishops who preach the gospel instead of those who are political wannabees!